As a tiny home dweller, I know firsthand how messy these cozy homes can get. And no matter how much you tidy up, the house is always messy, and everything is Always This is especially annoying in a small kitchen by the way, because it’s impossible to cook a meal without wanting to pull your hair out.
But when it is important to make the most of it Small kitchen storage ideasThe reality is that they are often not enough to prevent the clutter that can build up in this multi-purpose space. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home – serving as a cooking area, pantry, washing area, hosting hotspot and sometimes even a dining area.
As a result, small kitchens become dumping grounds for anything and everything—creating clutter that doesn’t accurately reflect how you actually live and cook. That’s why I asked professional declutterers and organizers for their take on the things you don’t really need in your small kitchen—and what you should declutter for a more organized cooking space.
1. Non-kitchen items
(Image credit: Future plc/Lizzy Orme)
According to Kate Dufton, professional organizer and declutterer Ace your spaceOne of the biggest small kitchen storage mistakes is that you can use it to store non-kitchen items. And I’m guilty of doing it myself, because my little kitchen is also my home The dreaded junk drawer.
‘When you have a small kitchen, every single cabinet and drawer is prime retail space,’ she explains. No room for non-kitchen items, such as medicine, junk drawer(s), and arts and crafts. This stuff needs to be removed and then stored elsewhere in the house.’
In fact, emptying a single drawer in a small kitchen can make a huge difference, giving you room to repurpose household items from a cluttered countertop and a wake. People with tidy kitchen worktops. And when you have tidy worktops, you create the illusion that your kitchen is bigger than it really is.
Woodlove Set of 3 Seagrass Storage Boxes with Lids
I am a huge fan ‘Clutter Buckets’ That lets you store the ugly-but-practical things you need around the house. And this works perfectly.
Vtopmart 25 Pack Drawer Organizer
A drawer organizer set like this one can work wonders in small homes – as you can use some in your small kitchen and elsewhere to store non-kitchen items.
Woodlove seagrass stair basket with handle
2. Old pots and pans
(Image credit: Future plc/Darren Chung)
If you take all the pots and pans out of your kitchen cupboards, there is a high probability that you will find many that you haven’t used in years, hidden in the back. And since pots and pans are large in size, they can make a mess in a small kitchen without you even realizing it.
‘These big, bulky items can take up a lot of space in the kitchen, and we often have more than we need,’ says Kate. Throw out any duplicate, worn-out non-stick pans and aim for a capsule collection of good-quality pans.’ Then, you can concentrate Arranging the pots and pans You have left, which can also free up space when done correctly.
There are many pots and pan organizers that will keep your cupboards and drawers organised, but if your small kitchen is short on space, Kate suggests ‘using a ceiling-mounted hanging pot rail or a pegboard pot rack on an extra piece of wall’ to create a stylish and practical solution.
Joseph Joseph Droverstore Expansion Cookware Organizer
Once you’ve decluttered your pots and pans, you can use this drawer organizer to keep them organized—and keep track of what you have.
OROPY Wall Mount Pot Pan Bar Rack
If you like to mount your pots and pans on the wall, this affordable rack will suit you perfectly.
Joseph Joseph Duo – Set of 3 Pot and Pan Lid Holders
Lids often make it difficult to store pots and pans, but these holders can help – and can be removed on your cupboard doors.
3. Shopping bags
(Image credit: Future plc/James French)
Does anyone else have a whole shopping bag full other Shopping bag? I certainly do, and it makes my small kitchen both ugly and messy. Especially since my kitchen cupboard door handle stays on, the door doesn’t close properly, and it regularly pushes the contents of the cupboard onto the kitchen floor.
However, the reality is that I have never (and probably never will) use the reusable shopping bags I have. And they are taking up much needed space in my small kitchen that could be used for things I actually use. Clever space saving clutter busters which keeps them in order.
Shannon Murphy, Business Planner and Founder Simple Living Co. There is a solution, though. ‘Instead of storing an overflowing collection in a cupboard, consider returning extra bags to supermarkets and offering them to people who might otherwise need to buy one,’ she advises. It keeps them in circulation and frees up valuable space in the house.’
Lakeland 2-in-1 Trolley Tote Set
If you want to get rid of your reusable bags altogether, this trolley tote set can be kept in the car and fits perfectly in a shopping trolley.
Handy Laundry Grocery Bag Storage Holder
If you have a lot of plastic carrier bags, an organizer like this can keep things organized in a small kitchen.
VENO 3 Pack Reusable Shopping Trolley Bags Set
It’s a great idea to swap out your supermarket-branded shopping bag for a universal bag like this one, as it can be used in so many different ways around the house.
4. Duplicates
(Image credit: Future plc/Lizzy Orme)
I am a huge fan Buy in bulkBecause it’s often a great way to stock up on essentials at low prices. However, I’m also guilty of buying non-essentials in bulk, and pros say this is one of the biggest contributors to clutter in a small kitchen. Then, you lose track of what you have… so you buy more.
‘I see this often with my clients,’ explains Kate, ‘and what happens is the cupboards are packed so tightly that often the food in the back of the cupboard gets lost and goes out of date. As well as your cupboards causing you stress on a daily basis, the money you save can be negated by the amount of food that goes out of date.’
This doesn’t just apply to food. This also applies to your collection Messy food containersCookware, mugs and more. So, it is worth your time Declutter and organize your kitchen cupboards So you’re filling them with only the things you really need – and to stop them from being flooded with duplicates.
Umbra Peggy Kitchen Drawer Cupboard Organizer Tray
When you’ve decided which storage containers you want, a peg board like this one can keep them (and the lids) safe and organized.
A striped stoneware ware jar
As well as making a statement on your kitchen worktop, this utensil organizer can also keep you handy so you don’t buy any duplicates.
Housing Bamboo Wood Spice Rack
The beauty of this spice rack is that it can be placed on a worktop or in a cupboard, and it will keep all your spices together so you always know what you have.
5. Gadgets and appliances
(Image credit: Future plc)
Small or not, no kitchen is complete without at least one gadget or appliance – be it one of them Best Air Fryers Or Coffee machines. But often we get swept up in crazes and trends and impulsively buy big things that clutter a small space. These are the things we need to declutter and Dispose of safely.
It’s important to ask yourself if you actually use a gadget or device before donating or selling it on a resale site, says Hester Van Hien, home decluttering and organizing consultant. orderlySays we need to be especially ruthless with single-purpose gadgets — especially when buying new.
She says, ‘Before buying kitchen gadgets, consider whether you can work with another kitchen tool that is suitable for multiple purposes. For example, herb scissors. Do you really need them, or can you use your standard kitchen shears or sharp knife instead?’ If you need new appliances in the future, try to choose multi-purpose appliances that take up less space in a small kitchen.
Aieve Wheels for Kitchen Appliances (8 Pack)
If you have no choice but to keep your appliances on your worktop in a small kitchen, caster wheels like these can help you move them out of the way when not in use.
Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker 5.7L
This Instant Pot is the ultimate multi-purpose gadget for the small kitchen. It is a 10-in-1 product that serves as a rice cooker, pressure cooker, slow cooker and more.
SisBroo Cord Organizer for Devices (4 Pack)
Electrical cords from your appliances and gadgets can also make your small kitchen look chaotic, but these cord organizers can keep things organized.
After decluttering these items, your small kitchen will feel more organized!
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